Commercial/Contracts Director (PMC) Rail/Metro Bid Opportunity

About SYSTRA

SYSTRA is a global engineering and consultancy group specializing in public transport and sustainable mobility. With over 10,300 employees, SYSTRA designs safe and sustainable transport solutions worldwide. For 65 years, the Group has contributed to the development of cities and regions by creating, improving, and modernizing infrastructure and transport systems across their project life cycles, from design to testing, deployment, and maintenance phases in over 80 countries.

The Opportunity

SYSTRA is seeking a Commercial/Contracts Director (PMC) for a major rail/metro infrastructure project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This is a contract position requiring over 10 years of experience. The role involves leading commercial management, contract administration, and claims oversight, playing a key leadership role in protecting the client's commercial interests throughout the project lifecycle. This opportunity is part of a bid submission and is therefore subject to project award and client approval.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial and contracts management function for the Project Management Consultancy (PMC) on major rail/metro projects.
• Oversee the administration of construction, consultancy, and service contracts in accordance with project requirements and contractual obligations.
• Provide strategic direction on all commercial, contractual, and procurement-related matters across the project.
• Review, interpret, and advise on contract terms, obligations, risks, and entitlements.
• Lead the management of variations, change orders, claims, disputes, and extension of time matters in coordination with relevant project teams.
• Support the client in commercial decision-making, negotiation strategy, and contract risk mitigation.
• Monitor project cost performance, budget compliance, payment certifications, and financial reporting.
• Oversee the review and assessment of contractor and consultant commercial submissions, invoices, claims, and contractual correspondence.
• Ensure proper commercial governance, contract compliance, and records management throughout the project lifecycle.
• Collaborate with planning, technical, risk, and project controls teams to assess commercial impacts of project changes and delays.
• Participate in negotiations, high-level meetings, and dispute avoidance or resolution processes with contractors and stakeholders.
• Lead and mentor the commercial/contracts team, ensuring effective delivery of all contractual and commercial responsibilities.
• Prepare executive-level reports, commercial updates, and contractual recommendations for the client and senior project leadership.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Law, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 18 years of relevant experience in commercial and contracts management.
• Proven experience on major rail or metro infrastructure projects.
• Prior experience in a PMC, client-side, or major consultancy environment is strongly preferred.
• Strong background in contract administration, commercial management, claims, variations, and dispute resolution.
• Excellent understanding of standard forms of contract and major project commercial frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships and high-value contractual matters.
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and commercial risk management skills.
• GCC project experience is mandatory.
• Experience working in large, multidisciplinary, and high-profile infrastructure programs is highly desirable.
• Professional memberships or relevant certifications are considered an advantage.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a commercially astute and strategically minded leader with strong contractual expertise. They should possess the ability to operate effectively in a complex PMC environment, advise senior stakeholders, manage risk proactively, and ensure robust commercial and contractual control across major rail/metro project delivery.